It might seem like you have nothing in common, but there are sure to be a few activities you can do together, even if it is something as simple as going to the park or taking them for an ice cream. This gives you time alone to open up the lines of communication, so you are able to start talking.

Listening instead of talking

As a parent, it can be tempting to talk at your son or daughter, especially when they do something you don’t agree with. However, this usually only serves to move you further apart, as the teenager starts to feel more alone. For this reason, it’s a good idea to spend some time listening to them without talking, so they can express what is on their mind without any kind of pressure.

Give them praise

Don’t be scared to give them praise when they do a good job or get good grades at school. All too often, a parent will be quick to point out when things go wrong, but then completely ignore the good things. When you give praise to a teenager then it helps with their confidence and self esteem.

Practice the art of negotiation

If you are constantly shouting at your son or daughter to do this or do that, and they are not responding, then you might want to try approaching the situation in a different way.

One idea is to negotiate with them when a job needs doing or you want them to do something. For example, tell them if they trim the hedge then they get to choose what movie is watched by the family in the evening. Small things like that make it easier to talk with a teenager.

Talk in a calm manner

A situation can easily get out of control when you start to raise your voice, which is why talking a calm manner is a much better idea.

This helps to keep the conversation relaxed, even when you are discussing a subject that might not be to their liking. Ultimately, you’ll find more respect from a teenager when you are willing to talk calmly, and not end up shouting all of the time.

If you’re looking for a tutoring service to help your child get better grades in school then you are in the right place and should read every single word of this article very carefully.

You see, over the last few years there has been a number of “rogue tutors” hitting the market and offering their services, charging between $30 and $70 an hour although they have limited knowledge of the subject they are teaching.

In order to avoid these rip-offs it’s a good idea to ask as many questions as possible before hiring a tutor…questions such as these…

What are your qualifications?

The first question you should always ask in what qualifications do you have? Not only that, but also inquire about their experience, and get them to back it up with real proof so you know they are telling the truth.

Do you have any testimonials?

Check to see if they have testimonials from previous and current clients, and if they can’t provide you with these then ask why not? At the end of the day, any tutor worth their money will be able to provide you with at least a few testimonials from happy clients who are pleased with their service.

How will you deliver lessons?

It’s always a good idea to find out as early as possible how the tutor will deliver their lessons to your child. As an example, some tutors are now “online only” and deliver their lessons through platforms such as Skype, while other tutors do things the old fashioned way by visiting your house and delivering lessons face to face.

What methods so you use?

There are many different ways a tutor will try and get your child to learn more about a subject, and the methods usually differ from person to person. For example, one tutor offering Spanish lessons might use flashcards as a main base for their lessons, while another will place a bigger emphasis on conversation training.

Is there a cancellation policy?

Most tutors have a strict cancellation policy so it helps to be aware of the specific details of this before going any further. Generally speaking, if you don’t let them know of a cancellation 24 hours before the lesson then you’re probably going to have to pay for the lesson in full.

Do you guarantee results?

Let’s face it, hiring a tutor is all about getting results for your child, whether it be better grades in school or helping them with a personalized study plan. Check to see if the tutor you are speaking with will guarantee results.

About Family First

Family First is about making financial decisions that are right for your family.

I'm Joe and I have a wife of 14 years and 2 children. After making some disastrous financial decisions I saddled my family with debt that we may never get out of.

I'm hoping this site will help people avoid my mistakes.

I'm not a financial expert so I open the site to my readers to post on subjects they have some knowledge on.